Abstract: A hermetically sealed container is provided with an overcap and a metamorphic spike carried therein for piercing a membrane on the container. The metamorphic spike is hollow and provides a liner that defines a controlled dispensing passageway. The spike pierces the membrane and is retained within the membrane after the overcap is removed so as to provide a controlled dispensing orifice for the container. The overcap can be reapplied to the container to seal the dispensing orifice.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed package is provided for the administration of a solution or other liquid to a patient. The package includes a blow molded container, cap, and releasable cover. The cap accommodates piercing of the cap and container with a draining spike. The cap has one or more self-closing seals or liners and can be disposed on the container so as to permit penetration of the cap and container by a piercing spike without contacting the parting line of the molded container. The cap includes a special structure for guiding the spike at the initiation of the piercing process, and the cap has an improved structure for sealingly engaging the spike upon insertion. As the container is drained, one of the container walls collapses toward the other to facilitate the draining process and provide a convenient shape for subsequent handling and storage.

Abstract: A container having a neck with a non-tapered cylindrical upper drain portion, and a frictional interference fit collar type gripper for the withdrawal member is disclosed which results in tight interference fit. Also total effective withdrawal of the contents of the container is promoted by providing a ring like stop or seat at the bottom of the neck. The construction also will accommodate flaws and defects in the manufacture of the withdrawal member or the drain portion resulting from scratches which will otherwise permit leakage upon withdrawal of the contents. The method of the present invention is directed to manufacturing the container by which the mandrel for insertion in the neck has a lower end portion providing a seating ring, and an upper portion defining the interior portion, with an interference collar protruding inwardly in a portion spaced from the lower end portion.

Abstract: A douche or enema dispenser is provided as a unitary hermetically sealed container and a cooperating overcap. The container has a cap structure which is removable by torsion applied through the overcap positioned over the cap structure, engageable with the adjacent container neck portion, and simultaneously rotatable as well as axially movable relative thereto. As the overcap is rotated relative to the neck portion, ribs in the overcap engage tip portions of a wing member associated with the cap structure. Since the cap structure is mounted over and sealed about a frangible web located around the container mouth that is located at the distal end of the neck portion, when sufficient torsion develops, the web is fractured, the cap is removed, and the container is opened. In opening the container, force upon walls of the liquid-filled body portion of the container is minimized.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed package is provided that is suitable for dispensing a material into a body cavity. The package includes a container having a dispensing nozzle surrounded by a seamless sleeve that prevents contact between the container's dispensing orifice and body tissue without impeding material flow from the container. Preferably the nozzle is provided with a twist-off closure constituted by a cap joined to the dispensing nozzle by a frangible web that surrounds the dispensing orifice.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed unitary liquid container of a thermoplastic material suitable for use in inhalation therapy is disclosed. The humidifier container includes a body portion defined by an upstanding walled chamber having a bottom, a gas inlet duct unitary with the container body portion and defining a sealed gas inlet, and a sealed humidified gas outlet duct, both unitary with the container body portion. The container body portion constitutes a liquid reservoir and contains a predetermined amount of an aqueous aseptic or sterile aqueous liquid for humidifying a breathable gas. The gas inlet duct extends alongside the walled chamber, and has upper and lower end portions which are respectively situated above the container body portion and below usable liquid level in the container. The gas outlet duct communicates with the walled chamber above the usable liquid level. The gas inlet duct communicates with a gas diffuser defined by the container wall above the container bottom.

Abstract: A modular fill assembly is provided for use on a filling machine. The assembly defines a plurality of individual product discharge flow paths each communicating with a common supply. A plurality of fill nozzles are carried by the assembly for each filling a separate container. Individual valves for each flow path are each operable between an open configuration permitting the flow of the product through the associated flow path and a closed configuration occluding the associated flow path. Each valve has a separate actuator for operating the associated valve independently of the other valves.

Abstract: A sterilizing method is provided for use with a container filling machine having components defining passages through which a fluid product flows. In one method aspect, sterilizing steam is passed through the components unitl the components have been sterilized. As the system cools and the steam condenses, the system is pressurized with gas to prevent the internal pressure in the system from decreasing below the ambient atmospheric pressure. In a further method aspect, the sterilizing process is controlled in response to sensing the temperature of one or more of the components. In yet another aspect, a common source of sterilizing steam is provided for being directed into the product filling system and simultaneously into an associated process gas supply system to sterilize both systems generally concurrently in a single pass.

Abstract: A nebulizer device with a cooperating disengageable on-line heater device is provided. The nebulizer and the heater together permit one to produce uniformly moisturized gas suitable for inhalation therapy. A relatively large amount of liquid can be entrained in the gas stream that exits the nebulizer device.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed unitary liquid container of a thermoplastic material suitable for use in inhalation therapy is disclosed as having a signal coupling. A cupshaped female connector is adapted to be threaded onto a gas inlet coupling of the container. A stem portion of the female connector defines a signal gas passageway and a flat land. A flexible elastic sleeve occludes the signal gas passageway and lies continuous with the land. When a pressure buildup is experienced within the container, gas pressure will force gas out through the signed gas passageway, and past the sleeve, while generating an audible signal, e.g., a whistling sound.

Abstract: A blow-molded container is provided with an insert occluding its top opening. A closure structure at least partially encapsulates the insert article and includes a frangible web formed against the insert article. The container can be blow-molded in main mold halves and the closure structure, including the frangible web, can be formed by additional mold halves while the insert article is held in the container opening by an arm that is subsequently retracted or while the insert article is supported on a parison portion that defines the container body. In the latter instance a complete overcap for the insert article can be provided.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed unitary liquid container of a thermoplastic material suitable for use in inhalation therapy is disclosed. The humidifier container comprises a body portion defined by an upstanding walled chamber having a bottom, a gas inlet duct unitary with the container body portion and defining a sealed gas inlet, and a sealed humidified gas outlet duct, both unitary with the container body portion. The container body portion constitutes a liquid reservoir and contains a predetermined amount of an aqueous aseptic or sterile aqueous liquid for humidifying a breathable gas. The gas inlet duct extends alongside the walled chamber, and has upper and lower end portions which are respectively situated above the container body portion and below usable liquid level in the container. The gas outlet duct communicates with the walled chamber above the usable liquid level. The gas inlet duct communicates with a gas diffuser defined by the container wall above the container bottom.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed unitary liquid container of a thermoplastic material suitable for use in inhalation therapy is disclosed. The humidifier container comprises a body portion defined by an upstanding walled chamber having a bottom, a gas inlet duct unitary with the container body portion and defining a sealed gas inlet, and a sealed humidified gas outlet duct, both unitary with the container body portion. The container body portion constitutes a liquid reservoir and contains a predetermined amount of an aqueous aseptic or sterile aqueous liquid for humidifying a breathable gas. The gas inlet duct extends alongside the walled chamber, and has upper and lower end portions which are respectively situated above the container body portion and below usable liquid level in the container. The gas outlet duct communicates with the walled chamber above the usable liquid level. The gas inlet duct communicates with a gas diffuser defined by the container wall above the container bottom.

Abstract: A blow-molded container is provided with an insert occluding its top opening. A closure structure at least partially encapsulates the insert article and includes a frangible web formed against the insert article. The container can be blow-molded in main mold halves and the closure structure, including the frangible web, can be formed by additional mold halves while the insert article is held in the container opening by an arm that is subsequently retracted or while the insert article is supported on a parison portion that defines the container body. In the latter instance a complete overcap for the insert article can be provided.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for molding, forming and filling a container having an insert at the container top are disclosed. According to the preferred form of the method and apparatus, a length of a hollow tube parison is extruded and then cut, molded, and filled while positioned between main mold halves. A stopper or like insert is tranferred to a holding and insertion member and when a blowing and filling nozzle has been completely removed from the top opening of the filled container, the blowing and filling nozzle and the insertion member that is carrying the stopper are moved together to position the insertion member and stopper over the container. The insertion member is then moved downwardly to deposit the stopper within the upwardly extending portion of the parison tube. Upper sealing molds are then closed to form the upper portion of the parison around the stopper to partially encapsulate the stopper.

Abstract: A blow-molded container is provided with an insert occluding its top opening. A closure structure at least partially encapsulates the insert article and includes a frangible web formed against the insert article. The container can be blow-molded in main mold halves and the closure structure, including the frangible web, can be formed by additional mold halves while the insert article is held in the container opening by an arm that is subsequently retracted or while the insert article is supported on a parison portion that defines the container body. In the latter instance a complete overcap for the insert article can be provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for molding a container such as an ampoule with a hermetically sealed top or closure joined to the upper portion of the container with a peripheral frangible web. Main mold halves defining a cavity are provided with an inwardly projecting portion that defines an upwardly facing bearing surface and a forming edge. A mandrel is provided with at least a downwardly facing first frustoconical sealing surface and with a frustoconical engaging surface extending downwardly and inwardly from the downwardly facing first frustoconical sealing surface. The mandrel is adapted to be positioned in a length of parison extending from the main mold means to temporarily seal the parison opening during vacuum or blow forming of the container.